I have a question for forum members. I apologize in advance for the length of this topic, but I needed to let you know of as much detail as possible to explain my problem.
Is it possible for two dogs to become to "friendly" with each other that they don't want to breed?
Quick background: I have over 20+ years of dog breeding experience with helping my mom breed and raise Golden Retrievers. So I am not a novice or first time breeder.
My situation: I have two yellow Labrador retrievers. Male is 7 and the Female is 6. I have bred them successfully 3 times.
Although she has only conceived every other breeding attempt. (Beyond the skipping a heat after a successful whelping.) So, on average, 1 litter every 18 months.
The problems is that I can't get them to connect when I need her to be bred (scheduling wise). Her heat schedules are in Dec/Jan and then again in May-July. I prefer not to have to raise a litter at the beginning of school season (Aug/Sept)!
I have tried numerous ways to try to get them to connect - even going as far as tying Tara up and helping guide Hunter into her... (Didn't work too well)
It appears that the male seems to give up before getting close enough to connect. His general attitude is to mount her for about a minute and then quit. Over and over and over again. (I do seperate them for a few hours at a time as well as every other day so he doesn't get tired out.)
I have checked Tara's timing and I keep them together every other day when she is ready to breed so I don't think that I am missing her timing. (Starting testing her on day 5 then until day 20+ or when he looses interest in her.)
These dogs are together every day (except close to breeding time or when I need her to skip a heat/breeding).
Is it possible for dogs to get too friendly so that they don't want to breed when the time comes?
Lord, after the bloody battles I just went through breeding my two monsters, I'd only dream of breeding dogs that were "friendly" to each other! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Reg: 03-01-2004
Posts: 94
Loc: S.W. Washington State
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I always collect the male in the presence of the female and deposit the fresh semen directly into the female. It has steadily produced larger litters for us. Also no 1 hour ties, no romance period and no injuries etc etc. Works everytime. Derek
"If it comes down to me or him........its going to be me every single time"
This is completely anecdotal on my part, but -- the breeder I got my Tibetan mastiffs from mentioned casually to me once (under circumstances that lead me to believe she was not yanking my chain) that she has a method that she uses when males are not sufficiently interested. She's whelped 26 litters of TM's, so I have to assume that there's some experience here. She keeps the bitch and dog separated overnight. She lets the bitch out in the morning, and watches carefully for the bitch to squat to defecate. She then immediately releases the dog into the same enclosure. Maybe it's not the same for all breeds, but a bitch in heat right next to a steaming pile apparently really gets a TM boy hot. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> (Maybe there is a release of additional pheromones from the anal glands?) Like I said, purely anecdotal on my part (and your mileage may vary), but it's a cost-free solution if it works. Good luck.
It might just be the male has low libido and really isn't stud material. There are some males that just don't, sorry. You can always learn how to collect him and ai her if it comes down to it.
"I have checked Tara's timing and I keep them together every other day when she is ready to breed so I don't think that I am missing her timing. (Starting testing her on day 5 then until day 20+ or when he looses interest in her.)"
Have you tried progesterone timing to see when she's actually ovulating?
"These dogs are together every day (except close to breeding time or when I need her to skip a heat/breeding)."
Hardy runs around with all my females. He bred Oxana like I planned on 2 wks ago. Thinking he was picking up on Oxana still, he was still running around with the other females. Well he tagged one last wk I didn't know was in heat. Normally the libido is there or it isn't.
Have you had your male checked for prostate issues?
I'd have moral issues artificially breeding a dog that doesn't have the drive to do so on his own.
AI is great, but we need to continue to ensure that our dogs can reproduce naturally.
I do as well, but it depends on how much she wants a litter out of that male I guess. heck the dog I had before could pick up females in silent heats and still breed her and have a successful litter. A good stud dog is worth his weight in gold.
Thank you all for your responses. I will look into AI as an alternative. I'm still not sure if I will pursue that route, depends on the cost and other factors. Realistically Tara will only have about 2 more litters even if I can get them to connect. She just turned 6 this past Feb and I don't want to breed her past 8 years of age.
You all have been very helpful. Thanks again! :-)
Jenn McGroary
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